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By means of baptism, the Christian becomes a dwelling place of God, a temple of the most Holy Trinity.

And as long as one is in a state of grace, the Maker of all things lives within the human soul as its dearest and most intimate companion. This indwelling of the Most High is an astounding, breathtaking mystery, and one that will only be fully understood when, through mercy of this same God, we will see him face to face in heaven.

In the Gospel given to us by holy mother Church for this year’s fourth Sunday of Advent, the Angel Gabriel proclaims the good news that Mary will be the mother of the Messiah. It will be within her immaculate womb that the Father will weave the flesh of the savior, and in a very real sense, it will be her blood that will be shed upon Calvary for the salvation of the world. To look upon Mary is always to look upon the Lord, for it is from her that all of the human characteristics of Jesus will be taken. “This is my body, this is my blood” — these are not only the words of the priest at Mass as he consecrates the Eucharist. They are also the words of Mary as she looks upon her Son and savior.

But while Mary will give to the Logos his face, his hands, his heart and his blood in a wholly unique and privileged way, and will carry this same Lord in her immaculate womb for nine months, every single Christian is also a “Theo-tokos,” that is, a bearer of God. Within the womb of the baptismal font, the Christian is given a new birth, a birth unto eternal life. And that life begins now, through the indwelling of the Trinity.

But like the supreme gift given to Mary, the gift given in baptism is not meant for oneself alone. Mary’s glory is a gift not only for her, but for all mankind. She has become the source of incalculable blessings, our powerful intercessor and advocate, and the perfect example of discipleship. The fact that Mary runs to help her cousin Elizabeth immediately after the departure of Gabriel manifests that the mother of God also knew that her life was now not her own — the Gift she had been given was to be shared; and her glory now shines upon all believers. So, it is with the baptized Christian — the supernatural life lavished undeservingly upon us simultaneously impresses a grave responsibility upon us, a responsibility to be missionaries to a darkened world, and to be a source of hope and joy to the poor, the outcast and the weak.

Why is there so much darkness, division and suffering in our world? Of course, part of the answer will always be that we live in a fallen world, and only with the triumphant return of the King will all suffering and death be destroyed. But it is also the case that much suffering is inflicted upon the world because we Christians are not holy, that is, we do not allow the Light within us, the Light that is a Trinity of Persons, to radiate upon others through mercy, service, kindness and heroic love.

May this Christmas, a Christmas the likes of which no one could have imagined last year, be a time of renewal for us all. May God, who can do all things, reawaken within us the desire to be holy. May he make our heart another Bethlehem, a place of humility, fulfillment and power, where the Lord of all will shine upon those in our lives.

Father Erickson is pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale. He can be reached at [email protected].  

Sunday, Dec. 20
Fourth Sunday of Advent